TIM HENMAN rated his victory at the Paris Masters Series tournament as the most significant of his career - and a far greater achievement than reaching any of his four Wimbledon semi-finals.

The British No 1 beat Andrei Pavel in straight sets yesterday, to bring a fitting conclusion to a spectacular week for a player who believes he can now go on to greater things - with his focus now turning to winning a grand slam title next year.

This title is the most prestigious of all the 11 so far in his career.

Pavel was outclassed, hard though he fought, and lost 6-2 7-6 (8/6) 7-6 (7/2) in a battle of two unseeded players at the Palais Omnisports in the Bercy area of Paris.

Henman beat new world No 1 Andy Roddick and Wimbledon champion Roger Federer in previous rounds, having earlier ousted Gustavo Kuerten and Sebastien Grosjean - and he was in no mood to slip up in the final.

This tournament marks the final week of the men's season for all but the top eight players in the Champions Race who will contest the Masters Cup in Houston.